The Ultimate Blackberry Balsamic Chicken Recipe
This Ultimate Blackberry Balsamic Chicken recipe combines tender, juicy chicken breasts with a luscious homemade blackberry balsamic sauce that will impress your dinner guests with its rich flavor and gourmet appeal. The dish is baked to perfection, creating a beautiful balance of savory, sweet, and tangy notes with a hint of garlic and fresh thyme for garnish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil for the baking dish
Sauce
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blackberries
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar (use good quality)
- 2 tbsp honey (raw or local preferred)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
- Fresh thyme sprigs
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking dish with 1 tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking and promote even cooking.
- Make the Sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of blackberries, 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 2 tablespoons honey, 2 minced garlic cloves, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes, gently smashing the blackberries with a fork as they soften to maintain some texture without turning into mush.
- Simmer Until Thickened: Continue to simmer the sauce until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon, achieving a glossy and appealing consistency perfect for coating the chicken.
- Season Chicken: While the sauce is cooking, season 4 chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides for balanced flavor.
- Assemble and Coat: Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish. Pour the thickened blackberry balsamic sauce over each piece generously, ensuring full coverage to infuse the chicken with the rich sauce.
- Bake the Chicken: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the juices run clear, ensuring safe and juicy chicken.
- Rest and Garnish: Allow the baked chicken to rest for 5 minutes to retain juices, then garnish with fresh thyme sprigs before serving to add a fragrant, herbal note.
Notes
- You can use fresh or frozen blackberries; frozen blackberries may need a minute or two longer to cook down.
- Use good-quality balsamic vinegar to enhance the flavor of the sauce.
- Resting the chicken after baking is key to keeping it moist and flavorful.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with roasted vegetables or a simple green salad.
- Adjust honey quantity if you prefer a sweeter sauce.
Keywords: blackberry balsamic chicken, baked chicken breasts, berry sauce chicken, gourmet chicken dinner, easy dinner recipes
